Try to lose weight by eating nothing but skinless chicken breasts and steamed broccoli, and you’ll leave your taste buds bored, uninspired and headed straight for the nearest Ben & Jerry’s. "Even the word diet connotes restriction, lack, boredom," says Sylvia E. Haskvitz, M.A., R.D., author of 'Eat by Choice, Not by Habit.' And, most dieters apply the same ho-hum approach to fitness, doing 30 minutes of cardio followed by the same few sets of weights –- every time they hit the gym.

Here are four ways to break free from your weight-loss rut:

Go Ethnic: Take advantage of the American melting pot by trying a new food or cuisine every week. Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Greek –- all have healthy options like edamame, bok choy, curry and tzatziki sauce. You can even extend the cultural adventure to your fitness routine. Belly dance for an hour and burn 300 calories or incinerate twice that much with one Tae Kwon Do class.

Get Oiled: Don’t park yourself in a fat-free zone. "Dieters who decrease fat intake often increase sugar intake," says Haskvitz. And they deprive themselves of the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish and nuts. Add slivered almonds or chopped walnuts to yogurt, cereal and salads and use high-quality olive, canola or peanut oils to stir-fry vegetables and chicken.

Be a Chameleon: If you’re a dedicated runner, try weight training for a few days. If you always eat turkey on whole wheat, go the soup and salad route. And don’t limit your veggies to carrot sticks, lettuce and tomato. Instead, top your sandwich with sweet peppers, Portobello mushrooms or sprouts and get creative with condiments.

Buddy Up: Take a class or make plans with a friend to go for a run. Company helps keep you motivated. Start a cooking challenge and encourage participants to create dishes that are tasty and light. Exchange the recipes, take home leftovers and you’ll have healthy pickings all week.